Selective oxidation of alkenes by TBHP over a novel Pd(II)-complex heterogeneous catalyst

A novel Pd(II)-complex catalyst was prepared with the help of the newly synthesized thioether ligand. The physicochemical properties of the newly prepared catalyst were disclosed through systematic characterization by using TEM, N 2 adsorption-desorption, FT-IR, XRD and XPS. The catalytic performances of the catalyst were evaluated for the Wacker oxidation of alkenes. A series of alkenes were mainly oxidized to corresponding ketones by tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) in the presence of the catalyst. The stability of the catalyst and the heterogeneity of the reaction system were also investigated by catalyst recycling and hot-filtration tests. The effective Wacker-type oxidation of aliphatic alkenes, aryl alkenes and cyclic alkenes was achieved in the new heterogeneous catalytic system. The good performance of the catalyst and its corresponding reaction system in the described reactions makes the catalytic system a positive application prospect.